The 2020 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Nick Rolovich. The team played their home games in Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington, and competed as members of the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference.
On August 11, 2020, the Pac-12 Conference initially canceled all fall sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On September 24, the conference announced that a six-game conference-only season would begin on November 6, with the Pac-12 Championship Game to be played December 18. Teams not selected for the championship game would be seeded to play a seventh game.
Schedule Washington State had games scheduled against Utah State, Houston, and Idaho, but canceled these games on July 10 due to the Pac-12 Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Original 2020 Washington State Cougars schedule Date Opponent Site September 3 at Utah State* Maverik Stadium • Logan, UT September 12 Houston* Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA September 19 Idaho* Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA (Battle of the Palouse) September 26 at Oregon State Reser Stadium • Corvallis, OR October 3 California Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA October 10 Utah Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA October 17 at Stanford Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA October 31 Arizona State Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA November 7 at Colorado Folsom Field • Boulder, CO November 14 at UCLA Rose Bowl • Pasadena, CA November 21 Oregon Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA November 27 Washington Martin Stadium • Pullman, WA (Apple Cup)
#WeAreUnited controversy In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, student athletes of the Pac-12 Conference formed a unity group to negotiate with the conference to get more fair treatment for student athletes ranging from COVID-19 safety protocols to racial equality messages under the threat of opting out of the fall season with the hashtag #WeAreUnited.
On August 2, 2020, Washington State wide receiver Kassidy Woods alleged that head coach Nick Rolovich threatened his status on the team, while also being removed from the team chats and being told to clear out his locker. Woods also released an audio conversation between him and Rolovich to the Dallas Morning News, where Rolovich was understanding of Woods opting out due to COVID-19 but was still critical of the unity group. Rolovich said in a statement that the said conversation between him and Woods occurred before the release of the #WeAreUnited group's article, and Washington State spokesman Bill Stephens clarified that Woods did not lose his scholarship or has been cut from the team, while ESPN reported that no one has been cut, but is not allowed to participate in team activities if they choose to opt out due to safety reasons.
Personnel
Staff NamePositionSeasons at Washington StateAlma materNick RolovichHead coach1Hawaii (2004)Brian SmithOffensive coordinator / running backs1Hawaii (2005)Jake DickertDefensive coordinator / Linebackers1Wisconsin–Stevens Point (2007)Michael GhobrialSpecial teams coordinator1UCLA (2011)Craig StutzmannCo-offensive coordinator / quarterbacks1Hawaii (2002)Andre AllenWide receivers1Ashford (2014)Mark WeberOffensive line1Cal Lutheran (1980)A. J. CooperDefensive ends1North Dakota State (2006)Ricky LogoDefensive tackles1North Carolina State (1992)Mark BankerSafeties1Springfield (MA) (1978)John RichardsonCornerbacks / recruiting coordinator1North Dakota State (2010)Dwain BradshawHead strength and conditioning coach1Arizona State (2014)Jason CverckoChief of Staff1Connecticut (2011)
Rankings
Game summaries
At Oregon State
Oregon
At USC
At Utah
Awards Jayden de Laura Pac-12 Freshman of the Week November 9, 2020 Ayden Hector Pac-12 Freshman of the Week November 16, 2020
References